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What do you order at restaurants after weight loss surgery?



What do you order at restaurants after weight loss surgery?  

74 members have voted

  1. 1. What do you order at restaurants after weight loss surgery?

    • I look for any menu item with some sort of lean protein and plan to eat only the protein (for example, I only eat the turkey and leave the bun if I get a turkey burger).
      36
    • I ask the server if I can have some grilled chicken and steamed vegetables.
      10
    • I order whatever looks good and plan to just eat a couple of bites. You might as well take advantage of the restaurant?s good cooking!
      27
    • I bring my own food so I can enjoy spending time with everyone else while they eat the restaurant?s food.
      0
    • I don?t go to restaurants anymore. There?s nothing I can eat with my weight loss surgery.
      1


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Restaurants often serve high-calorie, high-carb, high-fat foods that fit into your weight loss surgery diet very well.

What do you do when you are figuring out what to order at a restaurant?

Mark your answer and share your own suggestions in the discussion below!

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I don't restrict carbs, but I check anything I'm considering ordering on Lose It first. I then decide on what to order based on the healthiest option and least calories. I also order a half portion whenever possible.

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Restaurants often serve high-calorie, high-carb, high-fat foods that fit into your weight loss surgery diet very well.

What do you do when you are figuring out what to order at a restaurant?

Mark your answer and share your own suggestions in the discussion below!

For me eating out is a treat. I don't want to revert to OLD BAD HABITS. I try to have healthier choices, which include chicken, fish, and meat. I also, attempt to have them prepared either grilled or baked. But I do restrict on the carbs. I save those for the NEED occasions. I'll also, request a double on the vegetable instead of potatoes, and usually the restaurants have no problem with that. I've removed the rolls from the table, and the waitress usually rolls her eyes too. I look for things which are made without carbs. No Pasta, no sandwiches, and sadly no burgers either. I've only had one burger since i started my journey. :D

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I order what looks good, but that has changed dramatically since surgery. If I order any type of burger, I leave the bun behind, and take home whatever meat I can't finish. I don't restrict carbs, but find that the bread takes up too much room in my already limited stomach capacity. Sometimes, if there is a salad on the menu that I love, I'll order it as is (my favorite is Sheila's Cashew chicken Salad at the Cheesecake Factory), but get the dressing on the side. Overall, as long as I listen closely for the band signal, and abide by it, I can eat just about anything.

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I also ask for extra veggies , don't have any bread and if there is something I don't think is good I give it to the other people I a with as everybody I know , knows I a banded so they understand and we have a good time .

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i order grilled anything. i restrict carbs but will eat a 1/2 of grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo but i do pay very close attention to my band telling me i'm full. i believe that we all should be following a low fat, sugar free, low cal. diet. most restaurants will adapt to what you ask for.

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I always go for the lean Protein or fish dishes, or ask to have a special dish prepared the way I would like it.

I never have an issue eating only the Protein, I never eat the bread or macaroni salads that come to the table and often times ask the server to take it away.

If the dinner is very large I eat the portion I am comfortable with for my band and take the rest home. Often I am able to make a couple of meals out of one dinner.< /p>

If I am out with my husband who is also banded often times we will share the full meal with each other. Very cost effective as well I might add!

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Guy, I will do that with wings! :) and that's when I splurge. :D

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I have found since surgery restaurants to be a waste of money for me as I can only eat a small portion , a lot of times even the apps are not suitable as there are a lot of deep fried or bready items .The times I have ordered I stick to fish of chicken and order it with veggies

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I have found since surgery restaurants to be a waste of money for me as I can only eat a small portion

Since surgery, I've learned to keep a cooler in the car for leftovers. We don't always go straight home after eating, so this way I don't have to waste good food.

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I have not had a fill so I don't have much restriction and can eat anything I want. I limit my eating out to once a week at most and only on my "cheat day" when I allow myself up to 1000 extra calories. This day is usually Saturday or Sunday. I usually make a healthier meal selection like grilled chicken of some sort but I do enjoy the appetizer as well. My favorite is going out for mexican food and having chips and salsa.... I work hard all week staying focused on my goals and eating clean and my cheat day is great. This Saturday I plan to eat a bacon cheeseburger for a late lunch/early dinner. Haven't had one in months....we'll see how it goes! LOL

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Whenever possible, I preplan what to order, and avoid the menu altogether. I LOVE salads, so my go to meal is some kind of salad with grilled chicken, or shrimp, and I ALWAYS get the dressing on the side. I also ask for a box right away, because I know I'll have leftovers. I do enjoy dessert if I budget it into my calories for the day (hello, pumpkin cheesecake from Olive Garden!), but now I get one dessert and share with my family of 5.

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I'm only 2 and a half months post op so I'm OVERWHELMED when I read menus. I usually go for fish or soup.... But at home I'm able to eat just about anything.... Give or take a few things here and there.

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I just order side orders that I know I can eat that's low calorie like veggies or eggs.

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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